The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-11-05
Was She HeartIess

Miss Catherine I.ynde was wondrously
beautiful from the 'crown of gold on hel
naughty head to the pointed toe Of her little
French boot, yet-she knew it.
She was considered all that was fascinat-
ing--rich, witty. accomplished, beautiful,
but-heartless
She also had a reputation for brilliancy OF
repartee and refined sarcasms.
While visiting with a gay party at the
summer house of a friend-Mrs. Adair, she
had met her match in John lTayne, fell
low guest.
But as she was lady, with> all the priv
ileges accorded her sex, and added to her
other advantages, she treated the poor iouIn-
alist with cool and lofty disdain.
But, frigid!y polite, he accepted her chal-
lenge, and met her with her own weapons.
Many other charming people were stop
ping at Seaview, and as Mr.. Wayne was
exceedingly handsome, and interesting, he
was eagerly sought by all the ladies.
One day Miss Lynde was sitting in a
shaded nook, deeply immersed in the pages
of Shelley, when shadow fell athwart her
BOOB.
She lifted her beautiful eyes in calm sur
prise, then blushed family as she saw the
intruder.
| 1t was the same handsome face which
had been continually lifting its gray eyes
| from the learned pages of Shelley.
Il beg your PARDON, he said, and could
not control the flash of involuntary admira.
ton looking from his eyes. 81 was depu-
tized to find you, under penalty of death.
For myself, regret the intrusion fully as
much as you can"
'1nleedn' she returned haughtily, rising.
''Then you are extremely to be pitied, Mr..
Wayne, Pray, what is the occasion that
sends you on such distasteful erand?'
"Tennis," he returned. "They debarred
me from entering until | found partner.
viii you play with me? The others are al
ready partnered off. -
'IndeedW she laughed. "Then necessi-
ty needs no law; but FIN afroid we will not
win the banner, Mr. IVayne"
Something tempted her to be gracious,
and soften her sweet, low voice to danger
Gus accents.
''Then it viii of course be my fault he
returned. "The tennis queen is in i'll
luck with her partner"
She smiled softly, and that smile so be-
wildered her companion that he lost his
head-and composure.
Generally she was like an iceberg toward
him. Now the beautiful face so near his
own was strangely soft, tender and tempting.
How il was that he dared he could never
quite tell; but suddenly Miss Lynde found
his handsome face very close to hers, while
soft caress like the fall of a rose-petal-
dropped on her beautiful lips
She did not say a word, but stepped in
stantly back-palc and stern with scorn.
AT last she spoke.
"Leave me-" she said, hoarscly. "and
never dare speak to or of me againp'
81 beg thousand pardons," he STAN
mered. "I--''
But with averted face, and the hauteur
of an offended queen, she passed him with
gesture of dsdain. and hc knew he had
sinned past forgiveness.
After the guests had retired that night,
a terrific storm threateneG-a yeritable cy-
clone-and all within the house donned
their clothing, and rushed wildly to and
fro, seeking place of safety.
At last they all decided on the cellar, and
made a unanimous rush for its shelter
Miss Lynde was flying with the crowd in
undigniiicd haste, for the wind was upon
them with a roar of rage, when, catching
her foot in a rug, She stumbled and fell
headong.
In the rush for self-preseryalion on the
part of the ladies' she was mnoticed. The
gentlemen were watching the approaching
storm from another room, and now came
in for the general flight cellarward.
Miss Lynde heard the last one depart,
and mentally clubbing them towards"
attempted TO gain her feet.
But she failed, and dropped back with
gloan. She had sprained her ankle.
Tho roar Of the mad wind scared her ter.
ribly, and she covered her face with her
hands
Then suddenly she was lifted by pair a,
strong arms and placed on velvet couch
in the adjoining room.
Looking up in the glad surprise of know
ing that she was not alone, she found John
Wayne standing above her.
In the lund glare that filed the room his
face looked CHASTITY white and stern.
ImpalsiYely, while a rosy nush oveIspread
her fair face, she caught his hand and
clnng 10 il.
II have spralnel my fool.n She groanep